Alaska: Coastal Brown Bears

Katmai National Park

For four days in late August, 2012, we were flown daily to the mouth of various rivers inside the park, and dropped off to watch and photograph the coastal brown bears (grizzlies) feed on the sockeye salmon that were heading upstream to spawn. Mature males can weigh up to 1,400 pounds and mature females up to 700. Our Alaskan guide believed we saw some of the largest bears he personally had ever seen. In this area, where bears are not hunted or harassed, the bears are tolerant and curious about the rare human visitors, but mostly they completely ignored our presence.